To: The Connecticut State House, The Connecticut State Senate, and Governor Ned Lamont
Stop the Racial Disparities in Connecticut's Prisons
Over the past decade, the state of Connecticut has dedicated in not only reducing its incarceration rate but also the racial disparities that exists within. Now that the state increased its budget, after years of cuts, we urge you to help reduce racial disparity in the justice system by funding for social services and restore programs that will provide alternatives for the vulnerable population.
Why is this important?
Racial disparities continues to be huge issue in our criminal justice system, including in the state of Connecticut. Despite the effort of policy changes such as, the racial impact statements, Connecticut has only managed to reduce incarceration but not the disproportionate incarceration rate between African-Americans and whites. As of 2014, 1392 out of 100,000 per capita incarcerated were African-Americans while only 193 out of 100,000 per capita were whites. These statistics are unacceptable.
Over the past few years, the state of Connecticut has suffered from the major budget cuts that negatively impacted the funding of many social services programs. The lack of funding resulted in many programs providing limited to no services for the vulnerable population, particularly the African-American communities. Many of these social services provide treatments, such substance abuse programs, mental illness programs, and even regular public schools, all which have been proven to be beneficial in preventing incarceration and recidivism. Now that the state has a more expanded budget, I urge you all to sign this petition, as it is to support the state government to increase funding for these social services programs and to focus on the local areas that currently lack access to programs. By adding more social services progress, the state of Connecticut will be helping create a more level “playing field”. Increased funding is necessary to help the vulnerable populations, including the African-Americans. By granting increased funds to social service programs, access will increase to these social services resources and will greatly help reduce the disproportionate rate of incarceration in Connecticut by providing a source of intervention for minorities.
It is evident that the state of Connecticut has been committed in reducing racial disparities in its criminal justice system. But, it must take another stride now that it has a budget that can support providing alternatives outlets to its vulnerable population. Social service programs can help prevent the problem of racial disparity by stopping the issue at the very beginning. Connecticut must take action now in order to remain a progressive state. I hope you all take this message for consideration and I thank you all for your time.
Over the past few years, the state of Connecticut has suffered from the major budget cuts that negatively impacted the funding of many social services programs. The lack of funding resulted in many programs providing limited to no services for the vulnerable population, particularly the African-American communities. Many of these social services provide treatments, such substance abuse programs, mental illness programs, and even regular public schools, all which have been proven to be beneficial in preventing incarceration and recidivism. Now that the state has a more expanded budget, I urge you all to sign this petition, as it is to support the state government to increase funding for these social services programs and to focus on the local areas that currently lack access to programs. By adding more social services progress, the state of Connecticut will be helping create a more level “playing field”. Increased funding is necessary to help the vulnerable populations, including the African-Americans. By granting increased funds to social service programs, access will increase to these social services resources and will greatly help reduce the disproportionate rate of incarceration in Connecticut by providing a source of intervention for minorities.
It is evident that the state of Connecticut has been committed in reducing racial disparities in its criminal justice system. But, it must take another stride now that it has a budget that can support providing alternatives outlets to its vulnerable population. Social service programs can help prevent the problem of racial disparity by stopping the issue at the very beginning. Connecticut must take action now in order to remain a progressive state. I hope you all take this message for consideration and I thank you all for your time.